Last Saturday, Sept. 12, about two dozen students and staff members participated in the creation of a “Black Lives Matter” mural, located on the sidewalk between Smith Hall and the Campbell Fine Arts Building. André Lynch, associate dean for student equity and inclusion, initially suggested the idea to the Umoja student group after being inspired by similar murals that were created in Washington, D.C. and elsewhere across the country.
Participants put a uniquely Wells spin on the mural, incorporating Odd/Even colors into the artwork, as well as the “raised fist” symbol that has become the symbol of the #BlackLivesMatter movement nationwide.
Sasha Brady ’23, a visual arts major, provided the group assistance in developing the mural and putting some finishing touches on it. “I feel proud of the community for doing this,” Sasha said. “It’s definitely something that warms my heart, and it’s just a reminder that we’re all very strong, and we’re all here to support each other,” she added.
André Lynch echoed the importance of community awareness and the need for solidarity as a primary reason for the project: “It’s important for the Wells community as a whole — but especially for our Black and Brown students — that Wells College believes that Black lives truly *do* matter,” André said. “This is a central spot on campus where people can come and be reminded of that, and align their lives with the fight for Black lives.”
